I’m ready to lead Kenya, no excuses - Former CS Fred Matiang’i declares

Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i, who has announced his bid for the presidential seat in 2027, has pledged to take full responsibility and lead Kenya into a new era of reform and transformation.

Matiang’i spoke in an address to Kenyans living in the United States on Monday, taking a stab at the Kenya Kwanza administration for what he said was its failure to prioritise the issues affecting the country.

In his most direct signal yet of a 2027 presidential stab, he noted that the country cannot move forward without the involvement of Kenyans abroad, while assuring them of his readiness to be held accountable if entrusted with leadership.

“Let’s not point fingers, let’s focus on moving forward. The stars are ahead of us, and we must pursue them. I will not make excuses or blame anyone—I will take responsibility, and I am ready to be held accountable,” he assured.

Matiang’i described running a country as “serious business,” suggesting that he understands the magnitude of national leadership.

He acknowledged the current economic and political challenges facing Kenya but framed them as temporary and solvable through collective action and visionary leadership.

“No one will tell you the real pressure of leadership until you sit in that office and realise millions are listening to your decisions,” he said.

“We will get together; we will put ourselves together and ensure that as we move forward to solve this issue, we are a state country, we have sufficient resources to move our country to the next level. Some of these challenges we face are momentary. This is not child's play. Running a country is a very serious business, as you have seen.”

The former CS laid emphasis on education reforms, decrying the reduction of funds to schools and warned of growing policy instability in the sector.

“We had started reworking the curriculum to ensure it met market needs. We used to transfer Ksh.1,400 per primary school pupil and Ksh.22,000 per secondary school student. Now, I hear the amounts have been reduced, and in some cases, the money isn’t reaching schools,” he noted.

“I sometimes speak to school teachers and principals, and they are stressed about this. Because policy certainty is necessary in the education sector. We will get together, put ourselves together, and ensure that as we move forward, we resolve these issues.”

While calling for an inclusive national agenda, Matiang’i highlighted the role of diaspora communities in shaping Kenya’s future, even as he paid tribute to the youth who died during last year’s anti-government protests, with a moment of silence.

“We cannot build a future for Kenya without the diaspora. Your voice matters. Your presence counts," he told the audience.

“For us in Kenya, it's now becoming what we consider the Gen Z month. Let us also observe two minutes of silence in honour of the lives of our young people we lost during the Gen Z uprising last year.”